Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74), deflects a shot by New Jersey Devils center Brian Boyle (11) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. Mark Zaleski/ For the Tennessean

Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) makes the save against New York Islanders center Brock Nelson (29) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018, in New York. Mary Altaffer, AP

Predators goalie Juuse Saros (74) makes a stop after replacing Pekka Rinne (35) in the third period in game 1 of the second round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bridgestone Arena Friday, April 27, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) defends against Colorado Avalanche left wing Blake Comeau (14) during the third period of game 3 of the first round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Pepsi Center, Monday, April 16, 2018, in Denver, Colo. Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) plays the puck during the third period of game 3 of the first round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Pepsi Center, Monday, April 16, 2018, in Denver, Colo. Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) makes a save against an attack in the third period as the Nashville Predators play the Minnesota Wild at Bridgestone Arena
Saturday Dec. 30, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn
Larry McCormack / The Tennessean

Predators goalie Juuse Saros wipes his face in front of a benched Pekka Rinne during the second period of Game 5 on Thursday.
Nashville Predators goalie Juuse Saros (74) wipes his face in front of a benched goalie Pekka Rinne (35) during the second period of game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final at PPG Paints Arena Thursday, June 8, 2017, in Pittsburgh, Pa. Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

Nashville Predators goalie Juuse Saros (74) blocks a shot during the second period of game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final at PPG Paints Arena Thursday, June 8, 2017, in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

Nashville Predators goalie Juuse Saros (74) was put in goal after the three-goal onslaught by the Penguins during the third period of game 2 in the Stanley Cup Final at PPG Paints Arena Wednesday, May 31, 2017, in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

Nashville Predators left wing Kevin Fiala (56) celebrates with goalie Juuse Saros (74) and his teammates after his goal won game three in the first-round NHL playoff series at the Bridgestone Arena, Tuesday, April 18, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. George Walker IV / The Tennessean

The Blues' Jori Lehtera shoots on Nashville Predators goalie Juuse Saros during the second period on Friday.
St. Louis Blues' Jori Lehtera, of Finland, shoots on Nashville Predators goalie Juuse Saros, of Finland, during the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 30, 2016, in St. Louis. Billy Hurst / AP

Nashville goalie Juuse Saros makes a save on a shot as Ryan Ellis, left, attempts to move St. Louis' Alexander Steen out from in front of the net during the second period on Friday. Billy Hurst, Billy Hurst, AP

Those numbers fell to 7-1-2/.942/1.76 after he allowed five goals Sunday.

"He has some games under his belt, but he’s still early in his career," Predators goalie Pekka Rinne said. "Every win gains you confidence. You get more comfortable out there. It shows. He’s playing awesome hockey. It’s been fun to watch."

No matter what color pads he's wearing.

All dressed up

Predators fans and hockey equipment connoisseurs weren't shy on social media about their eagerness for Saros to break in his new pads. Saros said he's been using the same brand for a long time.

Coincidentally, Saros considered wearing them and the matching blocker and glove against Vegas – and Fleury – on Jan. 23, but something still felt off about the inside top part of the left leg pad.

It was nothing a few stitches couldn't fix.

Saros approved of the way the gold pads looked with the Predators' white away sweaters. He thought maybe wearing the pads at Bridgestone Arena, where the Predators wear gold sweaters, "could be a little too much (gold)."

"It's interesting to see with the game jersey," he said. "But we'll see."

Six days after stopping 27 of 28 shots against the Panthers, Saros wore the pads at home and stopped 27 of 29 in a win against the Stars.

"They're the same gear I've been using, just a different color," he said with a smile.

After going 4-0 with a .945 save percentage and a 1.53 goals-against in his first four games, Saros was 3-5-0 in his next nine appearances with a .861 save percentage and 4.12 goals-against.